Box Office :

01362 692784

Dereham News

8 Market Place

Dereham NR19 2AW

Payment by Cash/Cheque only

Click here for further details

Spring Play Tickets

Priority Bookings will be taken from Monday 6th February 2012

Bookings from the General Public will be available from Thursday 9th February 2012

Dereham Memorial Hall, where most of our productions are performed

Dereham Operatic Society is a charitable Trust and was formed in 1948 to offer the local community education and enlightenment in amateur dramatic arts. A very grand way of saying that DOS was formed to entertain the people of Dereham and Norfolk!

Our Shakespearian motto "Mere folk who give distraction are we" comes from Cole Porter's musical "Kiss Me Kate", which we first performed in 1970, and is based upon one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays "The Taming of the Shrew".

We at Dereham Operatic Society, or DOS as we are affectionately known, stage three productions a year (not including the productions of our youth group) including a major musical in the autumn, a pantomime over the Christmas period and a play in the spring. So, as you can see, there is something for everyone.

If you are looking to join one of the premier operatic and dramatic societies in Norfolk as either a performer (we actively encourage all whatever your ability or experience, whether you are a singer, an actor, dancer, or just enjoy being on stage), backstage helper, front of house staff or just looking to purchase some tickets for our next show ........ you need look no further than the Dereham Operatic Society.

Welcome to our website

Quick Contacts

Tickets: 01362 692784

Chairman
Martyn Rolfe

37 School Lane
Sprowston
Norwich NR7 8TG

e: martyn dot rolfe at ntlworld dot com
Tel : 01603 408017

Secretary

Julia Havis

e: julia dot havis at btinternet dot com
Tel : 07919 031598

Bookings
Dereham News

8 Market Place

Dereham NR19 2AW
Tel : 01362 692784

Rehearsal Studio
The Studio
Rear of Dereham Memorial Hall
61 Norwich Street
East Dereham
Norfolk, NR19 1AD

"The Scarlet Pimpernel"

REVIEW : From EDP 24 - 10th OCTOBER 2005 Sir Percy Blakeney, Marguerite St Just & Chauvelin

BY : Richard Parr

They seek him here, they seek him there.... the enigmatic Scarlet Pimpernel proved an elusive figure to capture in this musical entertainment on Saturday's opening night.

Dereham Operatic Society was staging the Norfolk premiere of the story turned into musical theatre and they coped well with an ambitious production. The orchestra, under the director Charlie Caine, provided sensitive and dramatic accompaniment if being, at times, rather too loud.

This is an unfamiliar musical for many people but potential audiences should not be put off becuase it is a wonderful lavishly-costumed show featuring some excellent voices in the leading roles.

There were some fine solo performances in this tale of Sir Percy Blakeney (the Scarlet Pimpernel) leading a double life as a reckless hero rescuing innocent victims from the guillotine during the French Revolution.

David Rees lent his find commanding voice and stage presence to the demanding leading role. He ably brought out the delightful humour of the character as he outfoxed the evil Chauvelin.

Chris Dilley, whom fans will remember in the leading role in Jesus Christ Superstar with the Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society, was excellent in the role of the fiendish and arrogant Chauvelin. His fine voice did justice to a number of solo numbers and duets. In his scenes opposite Julie Hewitt, as lovely Marguerite St Just, the couple built up a sexual chemistry and their duets were a delight. Miss Hewitt gave a stunning portrayal as Sir Percy's wife as she fell under the spell of the menacing Chauvelin.

Sir Percy's six "bounders" added a rich costume and comic thread to the action, particularly in the first act building up to a more powerful, emotially-charged second act.

Director Greg Fitch deserves congratulations on an accomplished production which further adds to the society's imprssive stable of quality musicals.

SHOW PHOTOGRAPHS

PHOTOCALL PUBLICITY SHOOTS

Chauvelin (Chris Dilley)	Marguerite St Just (Julie Hewitt)
Sir Percy Blakeney (David Rees)	Viv Soddy (Wardrobe Mistress), The Mask & Sir Percy Blakeney (David Rees)
Sir Percy Blakeney (David Rees) & Marguerite St Just (Julie Hewitt)

Cast List

Sir Percy Blakeney

David Rees

Marguerite St Just

Julie Hewitt

Chauvelin

Chris Dilley

Armand St Just

Paul Fawcett

Marie

Sarah Browne

Sir Percy's Gang

Nick Bird, Nick King, Paul Woodhouse, Andy Lofthouse, Martyn Rolfe, Colin Harris

Prince of Wales + Chorus

Peter Mottram

Robespierre

John McInnes

St CYR + Chorus

Peter Dear

Male Chorus:

Gareth Evans, Adam Field-Wright, Tom Monument and Michael Smith

Ladies Chorus:

Kerrie Barnett, Linda Campbell, Kayleigh Copsey, Amy Cuenca, Marjorie Dingle, Patricia Goodwins, Jennie Groom, Jacquie Hardy, Ruth Hannent, Val Lofthouse, Joanne Madden, Joyce Neale, Heather Neave, Hannah Rolfe, Joan Syrett, Lisa Parnham, Lavinia Pirret and Jeanie Woods.